# 2003 Chevrolet Astro won't crank **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** astro, chevrolet\ **Created:** [April 14, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667 "2018-04-14T16:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![heavyduty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@heavyduty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/heavyduty)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/1 "2018-04-14T16:29:04Z")
Why will my Astro van not crank? When I turn my key on all lights come on, fuel pump primes, turn key and no crank. It did this once about a year ago and seemed to heal its self and now it is doing it again without healing!!! Any clues??? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/2 "2018-04-14T16:38:14Z")
With the dash lights on, step on the brake pedal and shift the transmission into neutral and then try starting the engine. If the engine starts, it points to a problem with the park/neutral safety switch. Tester ---
**Author:** ![heavyduty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@heavyduty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/heavyduty)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/3 "2018-04-15T17:19:41Z")
Exact thing in both Park and Neutral position. Fan stops running and gauges and warning lights shut off when key is turned to “crank” when shifter is in either Park or Neutral position. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/4 "2018-04-15T17:29:44Z")
Battery discharged and/or its connections bad? Do you hear any motion in the starter motor? You’d need to have someone turn the key while you listen. Maybe through a stick held against it and your ear. But beware of getting you or your clothes in something when the engine starts. ---
**Author:** ![heavyduty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@heavyduty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/heavyduty)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/5 "2018-04-15T17:40:05Z")
Battery is new and has a full charge. Head lights burn when key is turned on. Connections are good. No clicking in the starter/solenoid area. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/6 "2018-04-15T17:41:23Z")
Rap the starter motor with a 2X4 and try again. ---
**Author:** ![heavyduty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@heavyduty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/heavyduty)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/7 "2018-04-15T17:42:56Z")
I rapped it with a 12 oz brass hammer which gave it a pretty good smack to no avail. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/8 "2018-04-15T17:58:56Z")
Is the wire to the solenoid getting 12V when the key is at Start? ---
**Author:** ![heavyduty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@heavyduty](https://community.cartalk.com/u/heavyduty)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/9 "2018-04-15T18:01:41Z")
Thanks. Gonna go back at it tomorow. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/10 "2018-04-15T18:03:30Z")
You’re welcome. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-astro-wont-crank/115667/11 "2018-04-15T23:52:00Z")
> [@heavyduty](#): > > warning lights shut off when key is turned to “crank” when shifter is in either Park or Neutral position. I had that symptom on my Corolla one time, and it was the battery connections were loose and a little corroded. the starter motor uses much more current than the other systems, including the headlights, so when you turn the key to “start” most of the battery current goes to the starter, robbing the other circuits like the dash lights if there’s too much resistance at the battery posts. So double check all that before assuming it is something more complicated. A weak battery problem could cause the same symptom.